Channel 7's James Tobin has a fine motoring outlook

AFFABLE Channel 7 weekend weather presenter James Tobin has a bright outlook on life.

And that translates to his car of choice...

What was your first car?

It was a red Honda Civic Hatch. I think it was sixth generation, so about the 1997 model. I loved that car, it was my ticket to freedom. The feeling of owning your first car is like no other, all of a sudden the world is your oyster. You can drive wherever you want, whenever you want, and you don't even have to ask mum if you can borrow her car.

What are you driving now, and what do you love and hate about it?

An Audi Q5 and I'm loving it. It's an awesome car with lots of space and holds the road beautifully. Having driven a two-seater car (Nissan 350Z) for the past few years, the first criteria for my new car was that it could fit my bike in the back. I like to be amongst the outdoors and I do a lot of travel for work; it sounds like a cliche but the Q5 really suits my lifestyle.

What cars did your family have while you were growing up?

Growing up we've always had 4x4s. First a Nissan Patrol and then LandCruisers. I remember one year we took the Patrol on a holiday to Frazer Island and I was allowed to have a crack at driving it on the beach. I loved it.

Back when I was in primary school my parents used to have a little old red BMW. I'm guessing, but I think it was a 1985 318i. It was a manual and occasionally mum would let me shift the gears when she was driving.

What is your greatest frustration on the road?

Overly cautious drivers and people sitting in the right-hand overtaking lane on the freeway. Lead-foot erratic drivers are obviously very dangerous too, but I find unpredictable overly cautious drivers very frustrating.

Do you have any preferred driving music?

Driving a car on your own is the only place, other than your shower, that amateur karaoke wannabes like me get the chance to really belt out a tune. So as long as I know 90% ... nah scrap that … 30% of the words in the chorus I'll happily turn any song up loud and murder a great tune with my tone deaf screechings.

If you were to pick anyone in the world to go on a road trip with, who would it be and why?

Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo. I've always secretly wanted to be a race car driver and who better to teach me the skills. I've never met the guy but in every interview he does he comes across like such a legend, who's just having an awesome time.

What is your dream car and why?

Going back to my childhood, I remember seeing the Batmobile in Batman and Batman Returns and being blown away. Seeing as we're talking about my ultimate dream car I'm going to say that.

VITAL STATISTICS

Who: James Tobin.

Born: April 1, 1980.

Resume: Currently weather presenter on Weekend Sunrise. Tobin started in children's television and has also worked in music and radio.